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17 (More) Things that Inspired Me This Year (List-Cember #3)

Last year I decided to make this a bi-annual post, so I can have two editions of all the happy, cozy things that made me smile, cry, laugh, etc. throughout the year.

In case you are new here and a stickler for clean numbered lists (i.e. lists that are multiples of 5 or 10) and are wondering why on earth I would choose 17 of all things. 17 is my favorite number and my family kind of goes hard in the favorite number department.

With that being said, you can check out the first 17 here. 

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1) This quote:

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2) Ashlyn Sailsbury

I found Ashlyn through Kristin Johns who I mentioned in a previous version of this post, and she has quickly become one of my favorite people to follow on Instagram. She is so funny and sassy and genuine and she shares the adventures of her adorable, fun family in Copenhagen. 10/10.

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3) This song by Ella Henderson

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8) Daisy Jones & the Six

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This was such a great book! Even though it was fiction, it read like a Rolling Stone interview and I was hooked the whole time. Plus the writing was absolutely brilliant. Here are some of my favorite lines:

“Don’t count yourself out this early, Daisy. You’re all sorts of things you don’t even know yet.”

“Life is about who is holding your hand and, I think, whose hand you commit to holding.”

“Acceptance is a powerful drug.”

 

 

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9) A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I mean, Mr. Rogers played by Tom Hanks? I loved it before I even stepped foot in the theater. It’s such a good tribute to a wonderful man and a great reminder of how much we can do for someone simply by being kind.

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10) This writer who gets it

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11) The Try Guys

I have been following the Try Guys for a while now but this year I really dove head first into their content. I started listening to their podcast The Trypod which always makes me laugh, and I kept up with their YouTube videos which always brighten my day.

Here is one of my favorites:

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12) My sister

Raise your hand if you’ve been going to school for 600 years and have spent that time working your ass off, borderline losing your mind, and definitely questioning if any of it was worth it. Now raise your hand if you overcame every obstacle that was put in front of you, grown into an incredibly smart, well spoken, badass Speech Language Pathologist that will undoubtedly go on to do great things.

Natalee, please raise your hand.

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13) The Grapes of Wrath, which inspired me to write this blog post.

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14) Mitch Albom

I read my first Mitch Albom book last year and immediately fell in love with his style of writing, so this year I read three more of his books and they continue to make me feel all the feels. One day I hope to write something that moves people the way his books move me.

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15) Glamour Friendship Test

This is such a sweet, hilarious series and this episode is absolutely one of my favorites.

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16) Iliza Shlesinger

I first found Iliza last year when a friend highly recommended her Netflix special, Elder Millennial. After watching and loving it, I was very excited to see that she released a new special in November of this year called Unveiled. Spoiler alert: it is just as good. Not only is it hilarious, but she is so well spoken and has so many good messages within her comedy, she is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

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17) Food Forward

This is one of my favorite local nonprofits to volunteer for. It benefits such a great cause and is run by such lovely people, so if you live in Southern California I would highly recommend checking them out!

 


 

Check out previous versions of this post here, here and here.

Check out more List-cember posts here.

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10 Instagram Accounts that Brighten My Day

Social media can be a scary place. Mean things are said, misunderstandings are had, and entire concerts are documented with scratchy, unpleasing footage.

Sometimes we compare ourselves to those we see online and sink into wormholes of frustration, shame, and disappointment. And other times we laugh at pictures of dogs wearing hats.

For me, it’s all about finding a balance. Some days I need to see that person striving higher because it makes me want to do the same. Some days I want to read posts that make me cry because it reminds me there is goodness and hope in the world. And some days I just like to spy on people and look at pictures of food and crafts.

Over the years I’ve gone through phases of following and unfollowing different accounts trying to find this balance, and as of right now, I think I’m really nailing it.

So you if you’re looking for new accounts to make you smile, or if you’re just curious/nosy (I am both) here are ten Instagram accounts that brighten my day.

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1) @foodnetwork

I mean, pictures of beautiful, delectable food throughout the day? Is there a downside**?

**Possible downside: hanger (anger induced by hunger)

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2) @jennifer.garner

I’ll be honest, I’m not always up to sitting still and watching videos when I’m scrolling through Instagram. Sometimes I just want to take a quick trip, you know? But whenever Jennifer Garner posts a video, I. Strap. In. She is so adorable and hilarious and real, and I wish she would invite me over to make brownies on a Saturday morning.

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3) @alexameadeart

I LOVE this girl’s art. She paints onto her subjects and the setting around them to create the illusion of a painting on an easel.  I think it is absolutely amazing and every time she posts a new photo I just stare at it in amazement. Fun fact: she did the artwork for the ~pool~ scene in Ariana Grande’s “God is a Woman” music video.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtbvrtsDFeO/

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4) @tanksgoodnews

In my opinion, this is a must follow. It is an account dedicated entirely sharing good news, some of which I’ve highlighted in my All the Good Things posts, and it never fails to makes me smile/openly sob in the middle of the day.

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5) @junkbanter

Is this the second account I’m recommending that focuses on food? Yes. But this one is all about junk food, so it’s different and still very important. I will often screenshot pictures of the newest treats hitting the shelves and send them to my roommates so that we can keep an eye out the next time we’re at the grocery store.

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6) @historyphotographed

I’ve always been a bit of a history buff and this account constantly provides me with doses of nostalgia…even though many of the pictures were taken before I was born. Does that make sense?

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7) @kristinmadeinc

This is a company run by Kristin Johns, a YouTuber I’ve long loved and admired. She is so upbeat and inspiring and is honestly what the social media world needs more of. On this account she posts recipes, lifestyle tips, and a plethora of photos that make me sigh the man I wish I could do that sigh. But in a positive way…you know?

PS- I made these cookies and they are INCREDIBLE. Highly recommend.

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8) @ashlynsailsbury

Similar to Jennifer Garner, I always sit back and absorb whatever Ashlyn (who is Kristin Johns’ sister) has to say because she and her family—which includes Owen the Baby, a three year old who will melt your heart—are incredibly adorable and charming, but also because they live in Copenhagen and I just genuinely love learning about their life there.

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9) @alpacasofinstagram

Need. I. Say. More?!?!

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10) @unspirational

I love me a good inspirational quote, but these anti-quotes just make me laugh. And sometimes sarcasm and dark humor does more for me than uplifting words after a long day of work, you know?

View this post on Instagram

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A post shared by Unspirational (@unspirational) on

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Have any Instagram accounts you love and would recommend?